Medford vs Scranton
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Medford
Scranton
The Verdict
Scranton is 17.8% less expensive than Medford overall. A household earning $75,000 in Medford would need approximately $63,679 in Scranton to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Medford has the same purchasing power as $63,679 in Scranton.
Conversely, $75,000 in Scranton equals $88,333 in Medford.
Living in Medford vs Scranton
Housing Costs
Medford's housing index of 139 is higher Scranton's 65, translating to median home prices of $406,000 vs $195,000. The $211,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,716 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,375/mo in Medford compared to $1,025/mo in Scranton, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 108 in Medford and 98 in Scranton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Medford vs $466/month in Scranton. Scranton offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Medford and 102 in Scranton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Medford vs $408 in Scranton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Medford and 90 in Scranton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $73,200 in Medford and $49,500 in Scranton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,057 and $55,000 respectively. Medford residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,708/month to housing in Medford vs $1,155/month in Scranton. In Medford, median rent of $1,375/mo fits within this budget. In Scranton, median rent of $1,025/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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